Building your DXP with Storyblok’s Ecosystem
Storyblok is the first headless CMS that works for developers & marketers alike.
A DXP (Digital Experience Platform) is a concept that needs no introduction. It has become very clear that visitors no longer get mesmerized by browsing a website, looking at products online, or clicking a button to find out more or make a purchase. Everyone is hungry for digital experiences that knock down the walls between content and delivery and take us on a personalized journey to convince us a brand is worth our time. And how does a brand satisfy those demands? By incorporating a DXP for their website. A DXP enables brands to create and offer seamless digital experiences across all channels.
In this article, we’ll explain the basics of a DXP, the benefits of building a best-of-breed platform, and how you can do that with the help of Storyblok’s Ecosystem.
The what, how, and why of a DXP
- What is a DXP: An integrated arrangement of technologies that support the composition, management, delivery, and optimization of contextualized digital experiences.
- How does a DXP help: It serves as a central repository for a brand’s content. In addition, content can be delivered across omnichannel touchpoints: website, mobile apps, blog, social media, etc.
- Why does a brand need a DXP: To deliver and power personalized, cross-channel digital experiences for their customers.
Off-the-shelf vs. composable DXP
A monolithic (off-the-shelf) DXP is an all-in-one platform that includes a Content Management System (CMS) and other technologies, such as eCommerce application tools, that are integrated into one suite purchased from one vendor. A composable DXP, on the other hand, is an enhanced “best-of-breed” architecture that lets you choose the best technologies that work together via APIs.
In our experience, a composable DXP is a more efficient approach, and here is why:
| Monolithic DXP | Composable DXP | |
|---|---|---|
| Scalability | Since monolithic suites provide you with a host of applications in one software suite, this means you’re locked into those apps. | A future-proof set-up that grows as you grow: Solutions can be implemented and removed with ease due to the API architecture. |
| Flexibility | External integrations with other best-of-breed solutions require development. | The API architecture allows for easy, fast, and seamless integrations with any external solutions. |
| Cost | High up-front cost. You might end up in a situation where you’re paying for applications you don’t use. | You only pay for what you need: the solutions that fit your business requirements. |
| Security | Since it’s one suite from one vendor, there’s always the possibility that a security flaw in one program may also be found in others. | Due to its decoupled architecture, security issues are resolved outside normal cycle development times, speeding the process up. |
Essentially, there is no one-size-fits-all DXP, and there shouldn’t be. Since every business is unique and there are thousands of options in the technology world today, you should always go for a best-of-breed solution. The ultimate goal is to have a platform that allows you to create, operate, maintain, govern, and grow your digital operations.
Building your DXP with Storyblok’s Ecosystem
In order to build a best-of-breed DXP, you’ll need to spend some time researching different technologies, building integrations, setting up the platform, and so on. If this seems like a project you are afraid to take on because of the effort required, let us make life easier for you. We present you with Storyblok’s Ecosystem: a network of Storyblok Technology Partners who offer innovative solutions that extend the value of your content structure. They are best-of-breed, MACH-aligned technologies that integrate with Storyblok’s CMS with ease. In fact, you’d be able to find pre-built integrations for most of these technologies within your CMS.
Our Technology Partner Listing consists of eCommerce, personalization, localization, deployment, PIM technologies, and more. Let’s assume you are building a global eCommerce site that needs to be translated into 3 languages. Looking at our Ecosystem, here are some of the technologies that you can incorporate into your DXP:
- eCommerce: BigCommrce, Shopify, Commercetools, Centra, SCAYLE, Nacelle
- PIM: Akeneo
- Deployment & Hosting: Vercel, Netlify
- Localization: Lokalise, Crowdin
- Personalization: Optimizely, Nosto, Ninetailed, Dynamic Yield (WIP)
- Search: Algolia, Klevu, Yext, Findologic
- Marketing: Semrush, Yotpo
By using Storyblok in combination with our Ecosystem Technology Partners, many successful projects have already been built. Take a look at some of our case studies to realize the potential of building your DXP with us.
Why Storyblok?
Arguably, the best feature of Storyblok is its core DNA: API-first. The key component of an API-first CMS is that it enables organizations to take a best-of-breed approach, and the interoperability they provide can be used to create a best-of-breed DXP. An API-first CMS doesn’t place limitations on what your organization can create or do when it comes to digital experiences, as it enables easy and simple integrations. Being API-based, when integrating Storyblok with other technologies for your DXP, it’s all a matter of “connecting the wires” between these different services.
We built Storyblok with a robust and flexible plugin system to give our customers the power to extend Storyblok with custom applications or fields. There are three different ways in which you can extend Storyblok: Custom Applications, Field-Type Plugins, or Tool Plugins. On top of that, we offer partner solutions and API integrations to unlock new capabilities for your Storyblok projects. Essentially, we are building an API-driven architecture with the added benefit of developer flexibility and productivity, being future-proof, improved user experience, and, most importantly, you can integrate Storyblok with other API-led technologies.
Key Takeaways
If you are thinking about where your business will be in 2-3-5 years, it might be time to rethink your digital maturity. A DXP, which is a combination of technology tools, can help you provide every new customer with a better experience than the last. Essentially, there is no one-size-fits-all DXP, and there shouldn’t be. Since every business is unique, so should every DXP. Naturally, such a platform will never be the result of an "off-the-shelf" purchase based on a single all-in-one product from a single vendor. Build your DXP with Storyblok’s Technology Ecosystem, a network of technology providers that we trust and have a deep relationship with.
